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pressing appeals for an authorization which should enable them to 

 add researches in magnetism to those in meteorology ; having on 

 the spot, in Captain Fyers, of the Royal Engineers, a person who 

 would make an admirable director of such an establishment. At 

 Melbourne, a proposition for a magnetic observatory and survey is 

 now before the local government ; means are abundant, but instru- 

 ments and direction are wanting. Mr. Jeifery, so well trained in 

 the Hobarton Observatory, is in that country, and is desirous of such 

 employment, as M. Neumayer is of the survey. Melbourne would 

 be a most important station for a magnetic observatory, as we might 

 expect from it the verification or otherwise of the increase in the 

 magnetism of the earth, at the period of the year when she makes 

 her nearest approach to the sun. 



Other colonies might follow the example ; but in regard to these 

 three, we are justified in expecting that, with suitable measures of 

 encouragement, we should have thoroughly efficient establishments, 

 carrying out the system of observation in its completeness. 



3rd. With reference to Foreign Countries. 



A proposition has recently been made to the Netherlands Govern- 

 ment, by Dr. Buys Ballot (who fills the same official position in 

 Holland that Admiral FitzRoy does in this country), for the esta- 

 blishment of a magnetic observatory in the Dutch Colony of Bata- 

 via; and Dr. Buys Ballot has written to inquire whether, in the 

 event of the proposition being acceded to, two sets of instruments, 

 one for Batavia and the other for Utrecht, could be prepared at 

 Kew. An intimation that the British Government was about to 

 resume and extend its magnetical researches, might be expected to 

 have a favourable influence on the success of Dr. Buys Ballot's pro- 

 position, and might also lead to the adoption of our colonial system 

 of observation in its full extent at the Batavian observatory. 



The importance of the North Cape of Europe as a magnetical 

 station, especially with reference to the connexion between the 

 Aurora and the magnetic disturbances, has already been noticed in 

 a preceding letter from me (that of May 13). The instruments 

 which were prepared some years ago at the expense of the Royal 

 Society, and were intended to be presented to the observatory at the 

 North Cape (should one be established there by the Norwegian 

 Government), are still in existence, and with a few modifications 



